The Words We Whisper

The Words We Whisper by Mary Ellen Taylor is a 2021 Montlake publication. <br /><br />Zara Mitchell, a hospice nurse, is called home to help care for her grandmother, Nonna. Upon arrival, Nonna gives Zara a mission to accomplish before she passes away. She must clean out the attic, and Nonna will give approval- or not- to save or throw away the contents. Obviously, Nonna wants Zara to find something for her, but what? <br /><br />Meanwhile, Zara reconnects with a form client’s husband, and is given more bad news, as Nonna slowly reveals the secrets of her past. <br /><br />This story uses a familiar dual-time life format- taking the reader back in time to Rome, Italy in the early 1940s, as we witness the bravery of a young woman named Isabelle, who helps the Jewish community, after suffering through a tragic personal loss. <br /><br />The two timelines eventually converge in a most surprising way. Zara’s quest changes over the course of the novel. Though she as suffered much, her mission is a noble one, and if anyone deserved a happily ever after- it was Zara. <br /><br />I did like this book. There was so much depth to the historical aspects, and it was very absorbing, tense and edgy back in 1943! Thank goodness for such courageous people who took such risks with their very lives to save those in peril!! <br /><br />That said, the contemporary elements contained an overwhelming amount of sickness and death, which was understandable on the historical side the story, but was excessive in the present-day thread. It was just too much, and it had an effect on my mood, leaving me feeling depressed even though the ending was very touching. <br /><br />Because the romantic elements were rushed through, I remained unconvinced of the sincerity or readiness of Zara’s love interest, but Zara at least was finally able and willing to reach for happiness- and there is the promise of better days ahead. <br /><br />Overall, this is a good story, though a little too heavy at times. I liked the characters and the surprise turn of events Nonna’s revelations exposed. Fans of historical fiction, especially set during the second world war will want to read this one. <br /><br />3.5 stars

Excellent historical fiction that will warm your soul. Many of the WWII stories are so depressing, but this is a story about what became of the people that helped the Jews. Although the story is told in two timelines, I enjoyed the 1940's more than the present day.<br /><br />Beginning with Isabelle helping the Jews in Rome, Italy, she sacrifices her own safety to ensure others are safe. Mia is one of her best friends and makes silly decisions throughout, but a very touching bond between the two girls. When sacrifices are made, they protect one another. The love story involved with the soldiers is the center of this time period. A tragic beginning becomes a poignant ending. <br /><br />In the present day, it takes place in Richmond, Virginia. Zara, a Hospice nurse, is staying with her grandmother Nonna for her final months of life. Her sister Gina is usually the one who looks after her. The two girls must put their differences aside and come together. Nonna wants her attic cleaned out and each item retrieved must be inspected by her before it is thrown out. She is looking for a specific box of items that have a hidden identity. A diary has been packed away with secrets to the past. Reading this diary carried so much more weight and revealed a different side of their grandmother than they ever knew. Devastating news is delivered that not only losing their grandmother, but they are dealt a hand that can't win.<br />"Choosing death is easy. Choosing life is far more dangerous." The ending to this was somewhat expected, but did not take away from this beautiful story in one of the hardest time periods. <br />An excellent job by this writer Mary Ellen Taylor.

In this novel, Mary Ellen Taylor skillfully weaves together a story with well drawn characters and a vivid sense of place. It drew me in, and was hard to put down.<br /><br />The story of two women living in Italy during World War II and its aftermath is told alternately with the story of a present day family living in Richmond, Virginia. <br /><br />Zara Mitchell is a young hospice care nurse who returns to her childhood home to care for her grandmother who is nearing the end of her life. Zara’s grandmother is focused on finding a wooden box stored in the attic of her home. She is determined to share its contents with her two granddaughters, Zara and Gina, and hopes that Zara will be able to find the box.<br /><br />This is a story of bravery, resilience, sacrifice, loss, love, and secrets that is well worth the read. <br />

This is my first book that I read from this author and it won't be my last! It is told in dual timelines, Rome, Italy 1943-1944 and the present day. This is a story of survival, hope, and families. It was beautifully written and I admit that I shed a few tears.

“Nothing ever ends as we would expect.”<br /><br />The above quote summarizes the central theme running through this dual timeline historical fiction novel set in Rome 1943 and Richmond, Virginia present day. <br /><br />I must admit, when I started to read and discovered that the story centered around granddaughters finding a notebook in the attic, I almost put it down. I’ve read so very many books about the war where relatives go on an attic archaeology dig! However, I kept reading and I’m glad I did. This is more than a book about a grandmother’s secret life during the war. It’s about how two estranged sisters pull together to help care for their 97-year-old nonna and in the process end up supporting each other. If you love dogs, there’s a terrier lab mix named Gus, a chihuahua named Little Sister and a mut named Billy who have several appearances in the present-day plot.<br /><br />The 1943 timeline features Isabella Mancuso and her role in helping the Jewish community after Mussolini’s disenfranchisement of these Italians. If you love Italian couture, the main character in the 1943 plot is the most talented atelier in Rome and works from a couture shop on Via Veneto by the Spanish Steps! <br /><br />This wonderful book was a treasured read yesterday post-vaccination (fully vaxxed!) while I sat in the sunshine and tried to keep my mind off my sore arm! This will go down as one of my favourite reads from 2021. I thought it was a poignant read, as the present-day timeline features a theme we’re all facing as pandemic restrictions are lifted; the need to seize the day. The journal provides answers for the girls and reminds them to chose love, pass on regret and seize the day. <br /><br /><br />Things I learned:<br />- Couture houses panicked and hurried to collect outstanding fees from Jewish clients in case they ‘disappeared’<br />- the Jewish community had to pay a ransom to the SS to spare future persecution<br />- People were often engaged and married on the same day because the war had just ended and after too many years of hardship, people were ready to get on with their lives<br /><br />Quotes I loved:<br />“People are rarely as simple as they appear.”<br />“Choosing death is easy. Choosing life is far more dangerous.” <br />“Don’t underestimate the ordinary.”<br />“Everyone thought they had all the time in the world, but, she realized, they were all passing through.”<br /><br />Mary Burton, (Mary Ellen Taylor, pen name) has a storytelling gift. I don’t know how I hadn’t heard of her - especially since this is her 50th book! Her strength is penning tales about loss and secrets and she seamlessly pulls together the timelines with a couple of twists you won’t see coming! <br /><br />This historical fiction highlighting the impact of the past on the present, along with complex family relationships, and a sense of belonging needs to be on your radar come July 20, 2021. <br /><br />I was gifted this advance copy by Mary Ellen Taylor, Montlake Publishing and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

<b>Don’t underestimate the ordinary.</b><br /><br /><i>The Words We Whisper</i> isn't the genre I usually read but I absolutely LOVED it!! It's the first book I've read by Mary Ellen Taylor and I'm already figuring out which one I want to read next. <br /><br />Generally, I don't like books with dual timelines because I always like one timeline more than the other. Not true this time! Both timelines were fascinating!! And did I mention there were dogs in one of the timelines? LOVED the dogs!<br /><br /><i>The Words We Whisper</i> is definitely one of the top 10 books I've read in 2021.

This is the first novel I have read by Mary Ellen Taylor and I have to say, I am super impressed. The story is told in two timelines - one is 1943, Italy, and the other is the current day USA. The older story is told by Isabella, a seamstress, and the newer story is told by Zara, her granddaughter and a hospice nurse. <br /><br />The two stories are told alternatingly and come together so beautifully, you cannot help falling in love with them. Zara finds the meaning of life along the way. The stories made me root for Zara in her coming-of-age journey.<br /><br />Beautiful book beautifully written, <br /><br />5 stars.

Sadly, this book didn't work for me. I alternated between listening and reading and couldn't get into it either way.

3.5 stars

3 1/2 Stars: An okay telling of an interesting glimpse into Roman life during WWII. What I liked: the Italian story and the way it unfolded; the idea that Jewish gems, stolen by the Germans, could one day be returned to their rightful owner. What I didn’t like: the clunky writing whenever it was about the modern story; the not surprising revelation of who Noona was; the obvious tugging on the heart strings. I thought the WWII story was excellent. I thought the modern story very labored and obvious. I hated the cliched switching from war times to modern times. There are many novels when this works, but this wasn’t one. An okay book.